{"id":13999,"date":"2024-10-18T01:36:25","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T01:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=13999"},"modified":"2024-10-18T01:36:25","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T01:36:25","slug":"exclusive-liam-payne-suffered-huge-blow-after-being-dropped-by-record-label-universal-music-just-days-before-his-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=13999","title":{"rendered":"EXCLUSIVE Liam Payne suffered huge blow after being dropped by record label Universal Music just days before his death"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Liam Payne<\/span>\u00a0had been dropped by his record label Universal Music just days before he plunged to his death in Argentina from a hotel balcony, the Mail can reveal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Originally signed to Sony as part of\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">One Direction<\/span>, Liam penned a deal with\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Capitol<\/span>\u00a0Records, a label owned by Universal, in July 2016 when he launched his solo career at just 22 years old.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Liam was said to have been &#8216;thrilled&#8217; when he signed to Capitol in what was understood to have been a very lucrative deal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"connatix-wrapper\">\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The label is a subsidiary of Universal, but in the company&#8217;s recent reshuffle he came under the main label.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">This evening, Universal Music Group posted an image of Liam Payne on\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Instagram<\/span>\u00a0saying they were &#8216;devastated&#8217; about his death.<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-2153dd953ae57efd\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90948483-13972219-After_releasing_five_albums_with_one_of_the_biggest_boybands_of_-a-6_1729189933515.jpg\" alt=\"Liam Payne had been dropped by his record label Universal Music last week which came as a huge blow to the star, the Mail can reveal\" width=\"634\" height=\"425\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Liam Payne had been dropped by his record label Universal Music last week which came as a huge blow to the star, the Mail can reveal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-d9c59a336f879d5e\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90982291-13972219-image-a-5_1729189927647.jpg\" alt=\"Universal Music Group posted an image of Liam Payne on Instagram on Thursday night saying they were 'devastated' about his death\" width=\"634\" height=\"552\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Universal Music Group posted an image of Liam Payne on Instagram on Thursday night saying they were &#8216;devastated&#8217; about his death<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-1691e3650b9a8dda\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90961101-13972219-Payne_plunged_from_the_third_floor_into_the_courtyard_of_the_Cas-a-7_1729189992030.jpg\" alt=\"Payne plunged from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel (file image)\" width=\"634\" height=\"462\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Payne plunged from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel (file image)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-a7f43466f90a0cc0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90944561-13972219-One_of_Payne_s_final_selfies_in_Buenos_Aires_was_captioned_Lovel-a-8_1729189996835.jpg\" alt=\"One of Payne's final selfies in Buenos Aires was captioned: 'Lovely day in Argentina'\" width=\"634\" height=\"903\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">One of Payne&#8217;s final selfies in Buenos Aires was captioned: &#8216;Lovely day in Argentina&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"splitLeft\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-529eaa80825ee52d\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90966555-13972219-Payne_pictured_in_Argentina-a-9_1729190004982.jpg\" alt=\"Payne pictured in Argentina\" width=\"306\" height=\"501\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splitRight\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-96465e6e2295f0d1\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90966471-13972219-The_singer_was_filmed_signing_autographs-a-10_1729190004993.jpg\" alt=\"The singer was filmed signing autographs\" width=\"306\" height=\"501\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Payne had been staying in Argentina over the last weeks and was pictured engaging with fans<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"v-329675037452121113\" class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-span-two-col tvshowbiz\">\n<div id=\"vjs_video_401\" class=\"video-js vjs-default-skin vjs-paused vjs-controls-enabled mol-empty-playlist mol-fe-animated-preview vjs-visually-ready vjs-user-active\" data-opts=\"{&quot;linkBaseURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html#v-329675037452121113&quot;,&quot;isMobile&quot;:false,&quot;original&quot;:false,&quot;duration&quot;:67000,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/video\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/329675037452121113\/1024x576_MP4_329675037452121113.mp4&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;Various&quot;,&quot;playerId&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Social media posts indicating Liam Payne's spiral down in final days&quot;,&quot;preload&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;initialVideo&quot;:true,&quot;thumbnail&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/22\/90987317-0-image-m-5_1729198884781.jpg&quot;,&quot;poster&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/22\/90987317-0-image-a-1_1729198880355.jpg&quot;,&quot;syndicationService&quot;:null,&quot;shortURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mol.im\/a\/13972219#v-329675037452121113&quot;,&quot;plugins&quot;:{&quot;social-share&quot;:{&quot;embedUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/embed\/video\/3293055.html&quot;},&quot;autoplay-next-video&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3293055\/related-videos.json&quot;,&quot;countdown_time&quot;:10},&quot;ads-setup&quot;:{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:false,&quot;screen&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358}},&quot;sources&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/329675037452121113\/video-sources.json&quot;},&quot;flyout&quot;:{&quot;viewportOffset&quot;:0.4,&quot;switchBack&quot;:true,&quot;forceFlyout&quot;:{&quot;active&quot;:false,&quot;muted&quot;:true,&quot;switchBack&quot;:false}},&quot;tracking&quot;:{&quot;channelShortName&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;sponsored&quot;:false,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3293055,&quot;trackingType&quot;:&quot;embedded&quot;},&quot;animated-preview&quot;:{&quot;displayName&quot;:null,&quot;frames&quot;:25,&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/159279046475234349\/636x382_JPG-SINGLE_159279046475234349.jpg&quot;,&quot;fps&quot;:0,&quot;data-video&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/159279046475234349\/636x382_MP4_159279046475234349.mp4&quot;,&quot;data-frame-height&quot;:358,&quot;data-frame-width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358},&quot;related-videos&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3293055\/related-videos.json&quot;}},&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;329675037452121113&quot;,&quot;descr&quot;:&quot;Haunting videos show Liam Payne in his final days and hours as he met with fans and posted Snapchats during his Argentina trip. Beneath the smiles and cheery persona there are fears Payne's life had spiralled out of control&quot;,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3293055,&quot;grapeshot&quot;:{&quot;article&quot;:{&quot;articleURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13972473\/diddy-liam-payne-death-theories-sleuths-one-direction.html&quot;}}}\">\n<div class=\"vjs-control-bar\">\n<div class=\"vjs-social-controls vjs-control\">\n<div class=\"vjs-social-share-control vjs-control vjs-social-share-control-facebook-button\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"mol-fe-related-replace ccox\" data-track-module=\"related-replace\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mol-fe-related-replace ccox\" data-track-module=\"related-replace\">\n<div class=\"related-replace-articles\">\n<div class=\"related-replace-info\">\n<div class=\"related-replace-headline\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"related-replace-count-wrap\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><iframe class=\"iframe-creator \" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/html_modules\/2024\/10_OCT\/241017_Liam_Payne_Balcony\/index.html\" name=\"xp-iframe-m2e1t3zw9g8gmqiyitc\" height=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\" data-xpmodule-iframe-resizable=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Payne, aged 31,\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">fell from a third floor of a hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening, before medics confirmed his death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The Universal Music Group tribute\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">read: &#8216;We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;We send our deepest condolences to Liam&#8217;s family and loved ones.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Capitol Records reposted the statement as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Multiple sources have confirmed to MailOnline that the singer was axed by the record label.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">A source said: &#8216;Liam&#8217;s advance was massive and he didn&#8217;t recoup [it].<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">It is understood that the release of his second album was put on hold prior to Universal dropping him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Meanwhile, it can also be revealed that Liam&#8217;s PR resigned earlier this month, which left him without any publicity representation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The resignation came as Liam&#8217;s ex-fianc\u00e9\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Maya Henry<\/span>\u00a0began legal proceedings against the singer after accusing him of repeatedly contacting her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">One source said: &#8216;It is like all of Liam&#8217;s music career that he had built up since he went solo eight years ago was crumbling, there was very little left for him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;It must have absolutely devastated him.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The latest development comes as:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"\">One Direction star returns to his hotel room before fall from balcony as staff told police he was &#8216;off his head on drugs&#8217;<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">Liam Payne&#8217;s family say they are &#8216;heartbroken&#8217; and say he will &#8216;forever live in our hearts and we&#8217;ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul&#8217;<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">One Direction star &#8216;was acting erratically with police called to his hotel over drugs and alcohol claims shortly before he fell to his death&#8217; &#8211; as his horrific injuries are revealed<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">Liam Payne&#8217;s ex-fianc\u00e9e Maya Henry claimed star &#8216;predicted he would die early&#8217;<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">Zayn Malik&#8217;s sister Waliyha admits she is &#8216;heartbroken&#8217; and has &#8216;no words&#8217; after Liam Payne&#8217;s death<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">Heartbroken fans descended on the hotel to lay candles and flowers for Payne;<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">Payne shared a photo with his girlfriend on Snapchat minutes before his death;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Last night\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Payne<\/span>&#8216;s\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">One Direction<\/span>\u00a0bandmates broke their silence following his tragic death as they released an emotional statement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-f25962a61b1fed\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90948479-13972219-Over_the_course_of_his_music_career_the_popstar_collaborated_wit-a-11_1729190080060.jpg\" alt=\"Over the course of his music career, the popstar collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie D'Amelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie\" width=\"634\" height=\"846\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Over the course of his music career, the popstar collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie D&#8217;Amelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-dbb4585a77a26a03\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90957527-13972219-Liam_Payne_with_his_father_Geoff_and_mother_Karen_after_the_X_Fa-a-12_1729190135604.jpg\" alt=\"Liam Payne with his father Geoff and mother Karen after the X Factor final in London in 2010\" width=\"634\" height=\"602\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Liam Payne with his father Geoff and mother Karen after the X Factor final in London in 2010<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-c31c096c504e723a\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90957709-13972219-As_well_as_father_Geoff_and_mother_Karen_Payne_had_two_sisters_N-a-14_1729190297350.jpg\" alt=\"As well as father Geoff and mother Karen, Payne had two sisters, Nicola (left) and Ruth (right)\" width=\"634\" height=\"564\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">As well as father Geoff and mother Karen, Payne had two sisters, Nicola (left) and Ruth (right)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-4f62372a2169b992\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90945161-13972219-_From_left_Louis_Tomlinson_Niall_Horan_seated_Liam_Payne_and_Har-a-13_1729190269198.jpg\" alt=\"(From left) Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan (seated) Liam Payne and Harry Styles in 2010\" width=\"634\" height=\"428\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">(From left) Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan (seated) Liam Payne and Harry Styles in 2010<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-4a95197174d162c7\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90945151-13972219-After_Malik_announced_his_departure_from_the_band_in_2015_the_ba-a-15_1729190314002.jpg\" alt=\"After Malik announced his departure from the band in 2015, the band went their separate ways\" width=\"634\" height=\"510\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">After Malik announced his departure from the band in 2015, the band went their separate ways<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"v-8256743671572350347\" class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-span-two-col tvshowbiz\">\n<div id=\"vjs_video_1087\" class=\"video-js vjs-default-skin vjs-paused vjs-controls-enabled mol-empty-playlist mol-fe-animated-preview vjs-visually-ready vjs-user-inactive\" data-opts=\"{&quot;linkBaseURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html#v-8256743671572350347&quot;,&quot;isMobile&quot;:false,&quot;original&quot;:false,&quot;duration&quot;:96000,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/video\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/8256743671572350347\/1024x576_MP4_8256743671572350347.mp4&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;lorraine&quot;,&quot;playerId&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Stars and politicians pay heartfelt tribute to  Liam Payne aged 31&quot;,&quot;preload&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;initialVideo&quot;:true,&quot;thumbnail&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90981543-0-image-a-3_1729188548290.jpg&quot;,&quot;poster&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90981543-0-image-a-1_1729188546875.jpg&quot;,&quot;syndicationService&quot;:null,&quot;shortURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mol.im\/a\/13972219#v-8256743671572350347&quot;,&quot;plugins&quot;:{&quot;social-share&quot;:{&quot;embedUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/embed\/video\/3292965.html&quot;},&quot;autoplay-next-video&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292965\/related-videos.json&quot;,&quot;countdown_time&quot;:10},&quot;ads-setup&quot;:{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:false,&quot;screen&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358}},&quot;sources&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/8256743671572350347\/video-sources.json&quot;},&quot;flyout&quot;:{&quot;viewportOffset&quot;:0.4,&quot;switchBack&quot;:true,&quot;forceFlyout&quot;:{&quot;active&quot;:false,&quot;muted&quot;:true,&quot;switchBack&quot;:false}},&quot;tracking&quot;:{&quot;channelShortName&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;sponsored&quot;:false,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292965,&quot;trackingType&quot;:&quot;embedded&quot;},&quot;animated-preview&quot;:{&quot;displayName&quot;:null,&quot;frames&quot;:48,&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/8462068338613764510\/636x382_JPG-SINGLE_8462068338613764510.jpg&quot;,&quot;fps&quot;:0,&quot;data-video&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/8462068338613764510\/636x382_MP4_8462068338613764510.mp4&quot;,&quot;data-frame-height&quot;:358,&quot;data-frame-width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358},&quot;related-videos&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292965\/related-videos.json&quot;}},&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;8256743671572350347&quot;,&quot;descr&quot;:&quot;Celebrities and politicians across the UK pay tribute to Liam Payne, who has passed away at 31. Among those expressing their condolences are Rita Ora, Dermot O'Leary, Konnie Huq, Scott Mills, Lucy Powell, Lorraine, Smallzy and Richard Madeley.&quot;,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292965,&quot;grapeshot&quot;:{&quot;article&quot;:{&quot;articleURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html&quot;}}}\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title-text\">\n<div>Stars and politicians pay heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne aged 31<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In a joint statement last night signed from &#8216;Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry&#8217;, they said they were &#8216;completely devastated&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,&#8217; they said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik all later released separate tributes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Styles wrote on Instagram that he was &#8216;truly devastated&#8217; and will &#8216;miss him always&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group mol-hidden-caption\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-d2bfd51de04e3d7e\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/18\/00\/90986935-13972219-image-a-1_1729207506944.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"634\" height=\"405\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9a49701b8781772f\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/18\/00\/90986941-13972219-Louis_Tomlinson_said_he_was_really_struggling_with_the_idea_of_s-a-2_1729207509236.jpg\" alt=\"Louis Tomlinson said he was 'really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye' in a separate tribute to Payne\" width=\"634\" height=\"407\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Louis Tomlinson said he was &#8216;really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye&#8217; in a separate tribute to Payne<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-1e22434412025251\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/18\/00\/90987647-13972219-Zayn_Malik_said_he_had_been_talking_out_loud_to_Payne_hoping_you-a-3_1729207511278.jpg\" alt=\"Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne 'hoping you can hear me'\" width=\"634\" height=\"479\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne &#8216;hoping you can hear me&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9c8f06f85ec94888\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/18\/00\/90991619-13972219-Styles_said_Payne_s_greatest_joy_was_making_other_people_happy_a-a-4_1729207513944.jpg\" alt=\"Styles said Payne's\u00a0'greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it'\" width=\"634\" height=\"629\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Styles said Payne&#8217;s\u00a0&#8216;greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-d89a6f1507f0d89b\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/18\/00\/90991617-13972219-Harry_Styles_wrote_on_Instagram_that_he_was_truly_devastated_and-a-5_1729207516262.jpg\" alt=\"Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was 'truly devastated' and will 'miss him always'\" width=\"634\" height=\"612\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was &#8216;truly devastated&#8217; and will &#8216;miss him always&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tomlinson said in a separate emotional tribute that he was &#8216;really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm over Tomlinson&#8217;s shoulder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne&#8217;s son Bear if he &#8216;ever needs me&#8217; and &#8216;tell him stories of how amazing his dad was&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;I\u2019m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I\u2019d have with you for life,&#8217; he wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn\u2019t to be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne &#8216;hoping you can hear me&#8217;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"floatRHS\">\n<div data-mol-fe-xpmodule-related-story-factbox=\"true\" data-xp-platform=\"mol.web.desktop\" data-xp-channel-color=\"home\" data-track-module=\"related-story-factbox^related-story-factbox-two-women-who-were-with-liraiam-payne-th\" data-reactroot=\"\">\n<div class=\"textContainer_L8BEBeSX\">\n<h4 class=\"readMore_b5WLEkAS\">Read More<\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"headline_TEL93dS_\"><span class=\"headlineText_tCRNH0ZB\">Two women who were with Liam Payne the night before he died are spoken to by prosecutor<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image_HQjDD_In\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90981751-0-image-a-14_1729188937205.jpg\" alt=\"article image\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In his own heart wrenching tribute, he said he had &#8216;lost a brother when you left us&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;And I can&#8217;t explain you you what I&#8217;d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,&#8217; he wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherevere you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;Love you bro.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Liam&#8217;s solo career came off the back of global stardom that began with\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">ITV<\/span>\u00a0talent show, The X Factor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He first auditioned for the show in 2008 at the age of 14 singing Frank Sinatra&#8217;s Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Simon Cowell telling him to return to the ITV talent show two years later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Liam impressed the judges in 2010 singing\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Michael Buble<\/span>&#8216;s rendition of Cry Me A River before he was put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition &#8211; the group which later became One Direction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In 2012, the boy band won their first Brit Award for best British single for their debut track What Makes You Beautiful, before picking up the Brit global success award a year later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">They also won\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Brit Awards<\/span>\u00a0in 2014 and 2015 for best British video for Best Song Ever and You &amp; I respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">After Malik left the band, the quartet won best artist video for Drag Me Down in 2016. They picked up the same award a year later for History.<\/p>\n<div class=\"floatRHS\">\n<div data-mol-fe-xpmodule-related-story-factbox=\"true\" data-xp-platform=\"mol.web.desktop\" data-xp-channel-color=\"home\" data-track-module=\"related-story-factbox^related-story-factbox-liraiam-payne-may-have-been-unconscious-\" data-breaking-news-date=\"2024-10-17T18:46:25+0100\" data-reactroot=\"\">\n<div class=\"textContainer_L8BEBeSX\">\n<h4 class=\"readMore_b5WLEkAS\">Read More<\/h4>\n<div class=\"headlineFlagsWrapper_DFVqshxv\"><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"headline_TEL93dS_\">\u00a0<span class=\"headlineText_tCRNH0ZB\">Liam Payne may have been &#8216;unconscious or semi-conscious&#8217; when he fell to his death from third floor hotel balcony after suffering &#8216;drug-induced episode&#8217; and destroying hotel room, say Argentinian prosecutors<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image_HQjDD_In\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90981267-0-image-a-24_1729188217168.jpg\" alt=\"article image\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Launching his solo career after One Direction split up in January 2016, Payne released his first single Strip That Down featuring Quavo\u00a0 just over a year later in June 2017.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The single charted at number three while his second single was Get Low, which peaked at 26.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">His third single, Bedroom Floor, went to number 21.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He then teamed up with singer\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Rita Ora<\/span>\u00a0for a hit, For You, which was the soundtrack to Fifty Shades Freed in 2018 and that was more successful \u2013 making it to number eight in the charts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Then came Familiar with Colombian superstar\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">J Balvin<\/span>, which went to 14.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He also released an album, LP1, which went to number 17 in December 2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Liam was managed by music industry veteran Steve Finan, the husband of Olympic heptathlete Denise Lewis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In August last year, Payne postponed his scheduled tour of South America after suffering from a &#8216;serious kidney infection&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He said the infection was something &#8216;I wouldn&#8217;t wish on anyone&#8217; and he had been instructed by doctors to &#8216;rest and recover&#8217;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"v-937482406235257420\" class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-span-two-col tvshowbiz\">\n<div id=\"vjs_video_1430\" class=\"video-js vjs-default-skin vjs-paused vjs-controls-enabled mol-empty-playlist mol-fe-animated-preview vjs-visually-ready vjs-user-inactive\" data-opts=\"{&quot;linkBaseURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html#v-937482406235257420&quot;,&quot;isMobile&quot;:false,&quot;original&quot;:false,&quot;duration&quot;:122000,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/video\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/937482406235257420\/1024x576_MP4_937482406235257420.mp4&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;X&quot;,&quot;playerId&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Rita Ora breaks down on stage just hours after Liam Payne's death&quot;,&quot;preload&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;initialVideo&quot;:true,&quot;thumbnail&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/15\/90971947-0-image-a-20_1729175078057.jpg&quot;,&quot;poster&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/15\/90971947-0-image-a-18_1729175076808.jpg&quot;,&quot;syndicationService&quot;:null,&quot;shortURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mol.im\/a\/13972219#v-937482406235257420&quot;,&quot;plugins&quot;:{&quot;social-share&quot;:{&quot;embedUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/embed\/video\/3292771.html&quot;},&quot;autoplay-next-video&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292771\/related-videos.json&quot;,&quot;countdown_time&quot;:10},&quot;ads-setup&quot;:{&quot;videoAdServerUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/pubads.g.doubleclick.net\/gampad\/ads?sz=[size]&amp;iu=%2F5765%2Fdm.video%2Fdm_video_tvshowbiz&amp;ciu_szs=&amp;impl=s&amp;gdfp_req=1&amp;env=vp&amp;output=xml_vast3&amp;unviewed_position_start=1&amp;url=[referrer_url]&amp;correlator=[timestamp]&quot;,&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;adsCancelTimeout&quot;:15000,&quot;screen&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358}},&quot;sources&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/937482406235257420\/video-sources.json&quot;},&quot;flyout&quot;:{&quot;viewportOffset&quot;:0.4,&quot;switchBack&quot;:true,&quot;forceFlyout&quot;:{&quot;active&quot;:false,&quot;muted&quot;:true,&quot;switchBack&quot;:false}},&quot;tracking&quot;:{&quot;channelShortName&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;sponsored&quot;:null,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292771,&quot;trackingType&quot;:&quot;embedded&quot;},&quot;animated-preview&quot;:{&quot;displayName&quot;:null,&quot;frames&quot;:59,&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/1322042372183704591\/636x382_JPG-SINGLE_1322042372183704591.jpg&quot;,&quot;fps&quot;:0,&quot;data-video&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/1322042372183704591\/636x382_MP4_1322042372183704591.mp4&quot;,&quot;data-frame-height&quot;:358,&quot;data-frame-width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358},&quot;related-videos&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292771\/related-videos.json&quot;}},&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;937482406235257420&quot;,&quot;descr&quot;:&quot;Rita Ora fought back tears as she performed a song she recorded with Liam Payne at a concert hours after the One Direction star's death. During the song, a picture of the pair was projected onto the big screen behind.&quot;,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292771,&quot;grapeshot&quot;:{&quot;article&quot;:{&quot;articleURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13972391\/heartbreaking-final-texts-liam-payne.html&quot;}}}\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title-text\">\n<div>Rita Ora breaks down on stage just hours after Liam Payne&#8217;s death<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-d978277e04f47296\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90969273-13972219-Rita_Ora_took_to_the_stage_in_Japan_and_performed_song_For_You_w-a-1_1729188533815.jpg\" alt=\"Rita Ora took to the stage in Japan and performed song 'For You' which she wrote with Payne in 2018 for the soundtrack to the film Fifty Shades Freed\" width=\"634\" height=\"1127\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Rita Ora took to the stage in Japan and performed song &#8216;For You&#8217; which she wrote with Payne in 2018 for the soundtrack to the film Fifty Shades Freed<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-e10a096a39b5a71d\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90968935-13972219-Ora_and_Payne_performing_during_Westfield_London_s_10_year_birth-a-2_1729188762937.jpg\" alt=\"Ora and Payne performing during Westfield London's 10-year birthday celebrations at Westfield Square, London in 2018\" width=\"634\" height=\"423\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Ora and Payne performing during Westfield London&#8217;s 10-year birthday celebrations at Westfield Square, London in 2018<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-615360b1f34bf345\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90968931-13972219-Ora_posted_a_touching_tribute_to_Payne_after_performing_their_so-a-3_1729188872286.jpg\" alt=\"Ora posted a touching tribute to Payne after performing their song on stage in Japan hours after his death\" width=\"634\" height=\"692\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Ora posted a touching tribute to Payne after performing their song on stage in Japan hours after his death<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-fba21eace87d5a74\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90969069-13972219-Payne_was_understood_to_be_close_friends_with_Ora_and_even_moved-a-4_1729188886314.jpg\" alt=\"Payne was understood to be close friends with Ora and even moved into her luxury \u00a33.25m west London penthouse in 2021 with his ex-fianc\u00e9e Maya Henry\" width=\"634\" height=\"642\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Payne was understood to be close friends with Ora and even moved into her luxury \u00a33.25m west London penthouse in 2021 with his ex-fianc\u00e9e Maya Henry<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In the same month, Payne was announced as a judge on a new\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Netflix<\/span>\u00a0show alongside former Destiny&#8217;s Child singer\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Kelly Rowland<\/span>\u00a0and The\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Pussycat Dolls<\/span>\u00a0star\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Nicole Scherzinger<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Yesterday Ora, 33, fought back tears while on stage in\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Japan<\/span>\u00a0as she performed For You at a concert just 12 hours after news broke of the One Direction star&#8217;s death.<\/p>\n<div class=\"floatRHS\">\n<div data-mol-fe-xpmodule-related-story-factbox=\"true\" data-xp-platform=\"mol.web.desktop\" data-xp-channel-color=\"home\" data-track-module=\"related-story-factbox^related-story-factbox-two-women-who-were-with-liraiam-payne-th\" data-reactroot=\"\">\n<div class=\"textContainer_L8BEBeSX\">\n<h4 class=\"readMore_b5WLEkAS\">Read More<\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"headline_TEL93dS_\"><span class=\"headlineText_tCRNH0ZB\">Two women who were with Liam Payne the night before he died are spoken to by prosecutors as they reveal they have questioned five witnesses over One Direction star&#8217;s hotel balcony plunge<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image_HQjDD_In\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90981751-0-image-a-14_1729188937205.jpg\" alt=\"article image\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Ora visibly struggled to finish the pair&#8217;s duet as images of the pair flashed up on screen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In heartbreaking footage posted online, the singer, 33, was seen at one point holding her head in her hands as she turned away from the crowd and looked up to sky before saying &#8216;I can&#8217;t even sing this right now&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Payne was understood to be close friends with Ora, who was a judge on The\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">X Factor<\/span>\u00a0in 2015, and even moved into her luxury \u00a33.25million west London penthouse in 2021 with his ex-fianc\u00e9e Maya Henry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Posting to social media after the show, Ora wrote: &#8216;I&#8217;m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;I loved working with him so much &#8211; he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The 31-year-old star plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina&#8217;s capital yesterday, before medics confirmed his death.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Payne had arrived in South America with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy on September 30, staying in\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">Argentina for two weeks after only planning to spend &#8216;five days&#8217; there<\/span>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"v-9020980597263648215\" class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-span-two-col tvshowbiz\">\n<div id=\"vjs_video_1773\" class=\"video-js vjs-default-skin vjs-paused vjs-controls-enabled mol-empty-playlist mol-fe-animated-preview vjs-visually-ready vjs-user-inactive\" data-opts=\"{&quot;linkBaseURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html#v-9020980597263648215&quot;,&quot;isMobile&quot;:false,&quot;original&quot;:false,&quot;duration&quot;:28000,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/video\/mol\/2024\/10\/16\/9020980597263648215\/1024x576_MP4_9020980597263648215.mp4&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;Sky News&quot;,&quot;playerId&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Devastated fans of Liam Payne gather outside Argentina hotel&quot;,&quot;preload&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;initialVideo&quot;:true,&quot;thumbnail&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/16\/23\/90946007-0-image-m-10_1729118778727.jpg&quot;,&quot;poster&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/16\/23\/90946007-0-image-m-8_1729118770679.jpg&quot;,&quot;syndicationService&quot;:null,&quot;shortURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mol.im\/a\/13972219#v-9020980597263648215&quot;,&quot;plugins&quot;:{&quot;social-share&quot;:{&quot;embedUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/embed\/video\/3292245.html&quot;},&quot;autoplay-next-video&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292245\/related-videos.json&quot;,&quot;countdown_time&quot;:10},&quot;ads-setup&quot;:{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:false,&quot;screen&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358}},&quot;sources&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/9020980597263648215\/video-sources.json&quot;},&quot;flyout&quot;:{&quot;viewportOffset&quot;:0.4,&quot;switchBack&quot;:true,&quot;forceFlyout&quot;:{&quot;active&quot;:false,&quot;muted&quot;:true,&quot;switchBack&quot;:false}},&quot;tracking&quot;:{&quot;channelShortName&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;sponsored&quot;:false,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292245,&quot;trackingType&quot;:&quot;embedded&quot;},&quot;animated-preview&quot;:{&quot;displayName&quot;:null,&quot;frames&quot;:42,&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/16\/5658902198576107127\/636x382_JPG-SINGLE_5658902198576107127.jpg&quot;,&quot;fps&quot;:0,&quot;data-video&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/16\/5658902198576107127\/636x382_MP4_5658902198576107127.mp4&quot;,&quot;data-frame-height&quot;:358,&quot;data-frame-width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358},&quot;related-videos&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292245\/related-videos.json&quot;}},&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;9020980597263648215&quot;,&quot;descr&quot;:&quot;Former One Direction member Liam Payne has died in Buenos Aires at the age of 31, local media reports. The popstar reportedly fell from a third floor of a hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, according to TMZ.&quot;,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292245,&quot;grapeshot&quot;:{&quot;article&quot;:{&quot;articleURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html&quot;}}}\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title-text\">\n<div>Devastated fans of Liam Payne gather outside Argentina hotel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vjs-control-bar\">\n<div class=\"vjs-video-quality-control vjs-control\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">\n<div class=\"vjs-control-content\">\n<div class=\"vjs-menu\">\n<div class=\"vjs-menu-content\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vjs-social-controls vjs-control\">\n<div class=\"vjs-social-share-control vjs-control vjs-social-share-control-share-button\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<div class=\"vjs-social-icon vjs-share-button-icon \"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vjs-social-share-control vjs-control vjs-social-share-control-facebook-button\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<div class=\"vjs-social-icon vjs-facebook-button-icon \"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-ed4008fbce99740\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90955115-13972219-Last_night_thousands_of_fans_gathered_outside_the_hotel_where_Li-a-17_1729190642793.jpg\" alt=\"Last night, thousands of fans gathered outside the hotel where Liam Payne died\" width=\"634\" height=\"423\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Last night, thousands of fans gathered outside the hotel where Liam Payne died<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"v-4188944298149825028\" class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-span-two-col tvshowbiz\">\n<div id=\"vjs_video_2116\" class=\"video-js vjs-default-skin vjs-paused vjs-controls-enabled mol-empty-playlist vjs-visually-ready vjs-user-inactive\" data-opts=\"{&quot;linkBaseURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html#v-4188944298149825028&quot;,&quot;isMobile&quot;:false,&quot;original&quot;:false,&quot;duration&quot;:58000,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/video\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/4188944298149825028\/1024x576_MP4_4188944298149825028.mp4&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;AP&quot;,&quot;playerId&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Moment Liam Payne's body arrives at Buenos Aires morgue&quot;,&quot;preload&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;initialVideo&quot;:true,&quot;thumbnail&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/13\/90967767-0-image-a-149_1729169760235.jpg&quot;,&quot;poster&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/13\/90967765-0-image-a-147_1729169755120.jpg&quot;,&quot;syndicationService&quot;:null,&quot;shortURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mol.im\/a\/13972219#v-4188944298149825028&quot;,&quot;plugins&quot;:{&quot;social-share&quot;:{&quot;embedUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/embed\/video\/3292693.html&quot;},&quot;autoplay-next-video&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292693\/related-videos.json&quot;,&quot;countdown_time&quot;:10},&quot;ads-setup&quot;:{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:false,&quot;screen&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358}},&quot;sources&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/4188944298149825028\/video-sources.json&quot;},&quot;flyout&quot;:{&quot;viewportOffset&quot;:0.4,&quot;switchBack&quot;:true,&quot;forceFlyout&quot;:{&quot;active&quot;:false,&quot;muted&quot;:true,&quot;switchBack&quot;:false}},&quot;tracking&quot;:{&quot;channelShortName&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;sponsored&quot;:false,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292693,&quot;trackingType&quot;:&quot;embedded&quot;},&quot;related-videos&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292693\/related-videos.json&quot;}},&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;4188944298149825028&quot;,&quot;descr&quot;:&quot;Moment body of Liam Payne arrives at the morgue in Buenos Aires, Argentina.&quot;,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292693,&quot;grapeshot&quot;:{&quot;article&quot;:{&quot;articleURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13972473\/diddy-liam-payne-death-theories-sleuths-one-direction.html&quot;}}}\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title-text\">\n<div>Moment Liam Payne&#8217;s body arrives at Buenos Aires morgue<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">During their extended trip, Payne was reunited with Niall Horan after going to watch his former bandmate\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">perform at the Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires, on October 2<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">On October 12, Ms Cassidy, 25, returned home to Florida after saying &#8216;I just need to go home&#8217; in a TikTok video, with Payne staying behind and checking into the \u00a3230-a-night Casa Sur hotel alone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Just 48 hours before his death, on October 14, it emerged that Payne&#8217;s ex-fianc\u00e9e, Ms Maya Henry, had started legal proceedings against Payne,\u00a0<span data-track-module=\"internal-body-link\">accusing him of obsessively contacting her and &#8216;weaponising&#8217; his fans against her<\/span>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-1a76858cb96c12f2\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90486789-13972219-A_heartbreaking_video_shows_Liam_Payne_singing_and_dancing_at_hi-a-18_1729190666639.jpg\" alt=\"A heartbreaking video shows Liam Payne singing and dancing at his former bandmate Niall Horan's, where he later posted a picture with Niall to Snapchat captioned: 'Reunited.'\" width=\"634\" height=\"949\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">A heartbreaking video shows Liam Payne singing and dancing at his former bandmate Niall Horan&#8217;s, where he later posted a picture with Niall to Snapchat captioned: &#8216;Reunited.&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"v-8000872236211127169\" class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-span-two-col tvshowbiz\">\n<div id=\"vjs_video_2459\" class=\"video-js vjs-default-skin vjs-paused vjs-controls-enabled mol-empty-playlist mol-fe-animated-preview vjs-visually-ready vjs-user-inactive\" data-opts=\"{&quot;linkBaseURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/article-13972219\/Liam-Payne-dropped-label-Universal-Music-death.html#v-8000872236211127169&quot;,&quot;isMobile&quot;:false,&quot;original&quot;:false,&quot;duration&quot;:84000,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/video\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/8000872236211127169\/1024x576_MP4_8000872236211127169.mp4&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;Other&quot;,&quot;playerId&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Looking back at Liam Payne and Niall Horan's bromance over the years&quot;,&quot;preload&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;initialVideo&quot;:true,&quot;thumbnail&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/10\/90960335-0-image-a-11_1729157621484.jpg&quot;,&quot;poster&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/10\/90960335-0-image-a-9_1729157619936.jpg&quot;,&quot;syndicationService&quot;:null,&quot;shortURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mol.im\/a\/13972219#v-8000872236211127169&quot;,&quot;plugins&quot;:{&quot;social-share&quot;:{&quot;embedUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/embed\/video\/3292493.html&quot;},&quot;autoplay-next-video&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292493\/related-videos.json&quot;,&quot;countdown_time&quot;:10},&quot;ads-setup&quot;:{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:false,&quot;screen&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358}},&quot;sources&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/8000872236211127169\/video-sources.json&quot;},&quot;flyout&quot;:{&quot;viewportOffset&quot;:0.4,&quot;switchBack&quot;:true,&quot;forceFlyout&quot;:{&quot;active&quot;:false,&quot;muted&quot;:true,&quot;switchBack&quot;:false}},&quot;tracking&quot;:{&quot;channelShortName&quot;:&quot;tvshowbiz&quot;,&quot;sponsored&quot;:null,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292493,&quot;trackingType&quot;:&quot;embedded&quot;},&quot;animated-preview&quot;:{&quot;displayName&quot;:null,&quot;frames&quot;:124,&quot;width&quot;:636,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/6419422210064009262\/636x382_JPG-SINGLE_6419422210064009262.jpg&quot;,&quot;fps&quot;:0,&quot;data-video&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/videos.dailymail.co.uk\/preview\/mol\/2024\/10\/17\/6419422210064009262\/636x382_MP4_6419422210064009262.mp4&quot;,&quot;data-frame-height&quot;:358,&quot;data-frame-width&quot;:636,&quot;height&quot;:358},&quot;related-videos&quot;:{&quot;videos&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/api\/player\/3292493\/related-videos.json&quot;}},&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;8000872236211127169&quot;,&quot;descr&quot;:&quot;Liam Payne and former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan's bromance over the years, with the pair not shying away from expressing their love for each other. Liam has died aged 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.&quot;,&quot;referenceId&quot;:3292493,&quot;grapeshot&quot;:{&quot;article&quot;:{&quot;articleURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13866329\/One-Direction-pays-tribute-Liam-Payne.html&quot;}}}\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title\">\n<div class=\"vjs-title-text\">\n<div>Looking back at Liam Payne and Niall Horan&#8217;s bromance over the years<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-79db7431cd87f269\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90877787-13972219-Just_48_hours_before_his_death_on_October_14_it_emerged_that_Pay-a-19_1729190673688.jpg\" alt=\"Just 48 hours before his death, on October 14, it emerged that Payne's ex-fianc\u00e9e, Ms Maya Henry, had started legal proceedings against him\" width=\"634\" height=\"1001\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Just 48 hours before his death, on October 14, it emerged that Payne&#8217;s ex-fianc\u00e9e, Ms Maya Henry, had started legal proceedings against him<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-2eb0cf3e1249d792\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/19\/90944983-13972219-His_girlfriend_Kate_Cassidy_posted_a_picture_of_the_pair_on_her_-a-20_1729190684665.jpg\" alt=\"His girlfriend Kate Cassidy posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram last August\" width=\"634\" height=\"1090\" data-gallery-handler-attached=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"imageCount-2Mnr9\"><span class=\"plusSign-1IpQy\">+<\/span>32<\/div>\n<div class=\"viewGalleryText-2XMcO\">View gallery<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">His girlfriend Kate Cassidy posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram last August<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Two days later, Payne posted several social media videos, including one where he jokingly called his girlfriend a &#8216;loser&#8217; for going home.<\/p>\n<div class=\"floatRHS\">\n<div data-mol-fe-xpmodule-related-story-factbox=\"true\" data-xp-platform=\"mol.web.desktop\" data-xp-channel-color=\"home\" data-track-module=\"related-story-factbox^related-story-factbox-shocked-and-devastated-simon-cowell-will\" data-breaking-news-date=\"2024-10-17T18:09:02+0100\" data-reactroot=\"\">\n<div class=\"textContainer_L8BEBeSX\">\n<h4 class=\"readMore_b5WLEkAS\">Read More<\/h4>\n<div class=\"headlineFlagsWrapper_DFVqshxv\"><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"headline_TEL93dS_\">\u00a0<span class=\"headlineText_tCRNH0ZB\">&#8216;Shocked and devastated&#8217; Simon Cowell will miss filming for Britain&#8217;s Got Talent after Liam Payne&#8217;s death as Bruno Tonioli is called up to replace him<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image_HQjDD_In\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/17\/17\/90978059-0-image-a-5_1729182581065.jpg\" alt=\"article image\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Hours later, police were called to the hotel following reports of an &#8216;aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Shortly afterwards, workers heard a loud sound in the hotel&#8217;s courtyard before the Wolverhampton-born singer&#8217;s body was discovered just after 5pm local time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Shocked fans gathered outside after police cordoned off the area with forensic investigators seen entering and exiting in white protective suits and blue gloves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The star was said to have been &#8216;acting erratically in the hotel lobby and smashed his laptop&#8217; before he &#8216;had to be carried back to his room&#8217;, according to local media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Universal Music Group no longer lists Liam as one of their artists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Capitol Records still looks after other Horan, 31, as well as Katy Perry and Lewis Capaldi.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Universal has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liam Payne\u00a0had been dropped by his record label Universal Music just days before he plunged to his death in Argentina from a hotel balcony, the Mail can&#8230; 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